Collapsible crate



Feb. 15, 192.7. 1,618,062

J. w. CURRY COLLAP'SIBLE CRATE Filed April. 21, 1925 A3 Sheetsf-Shet 1 l f 4 valob Feb. 1s ,'1927.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J.- w. cURRY COLLPSIBLE CRATE Filed April 21, 1925 {Ti {2...} -il l Patented F eb. 15, l1927;

-U'Ni'rsn stares! I laissez earner ereies..

JOSEPH W. CURRY, OFBREWERTON, NEW Yoan, Asseiqoaor oilinrrAnrToaosrlrt CURRY, JR., or BREWERTON, New Yoan.

ooLLAPsIBLE onere.r

Application filed April 21, '1926. serial Nd.' 103,43831 This invention relates to collapsible crates, and has for its primary object to provide an alllinetal containerespeclally adapted for packing and shipping' various productsV A further'objectis to provide a novel frame on line 77 ofiFig. 6.

by which all the hinged or movable parts are supportedA andl controlled, the said frame directly supporting the top and bottom members, and also' serving .as a guide for facilitating Vthe folding 'or'collapsing of the ends ofthe crate. And a further object is to provide novel means for extending or enlarging the crate, inthe direction of its trans verse dimension, for increasing the capacity of the container.

I attain these objects by the" means set withthe hinged covers 'thrown open. Fig.

l is a top plan view, showing the cratelpartially collapsed. the crate shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. 6 is a broken end View and partial rvertical transverse section, the latter Vbeing taken on line (S4-6 of Fig. 3, showing the meansl y g able vvert-ical partition menibers, which are Y pivoted or hinged to4 the opposite 'side mem.y

for hinging the end members that are slidably'mounted in the frame. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectiomtalren Fig/8 is a top plan view of the crate extended transversely. Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the same;Y Fig. Yl0 is respectively a vertical'longltudinal section on line 10 of 3 and a transverse sect-ion on line lOXl of 'Fig."3. Fig. l1 is a reduced plan view of one of the bottom'members. 'And Fig. 12 is respectively' a vertical :longitudinal section, and

a verticaltransversesection "taken on lines 12' and 12X' of Fig. l; showing tlielatch engagin'gthe partition members.

y The'drawings show all of the sheet-'metal parts exaggerated as; tothiclniessfo'r clearness.

In the drawings, 2 represents an open oblong frame, preferably made `rof similar relatively heavyendless wire members 2-2"1,

which yare disposed parallel to Teach other in vertical planes, andthesaid members are preferably permanently tied and reinforced medially at the' topand bottom, and also at the opposite ends, byV suitable l sheet-'netal clips orclainps 2b-2Cia1idv 21- e, whichl .may be. held rigidly inplace Lbyfsolde'r 'orotlher suitable means. Midway "between its Vends,

-the frame 2 is iittedqvvith an'upriglit post o which is preferably disposedbetween the members 2-2"LA and passes through andis rigidly secured to theiclips or sleeVVes"2b"-2",`

as shown in Figs. l, 2,3 andlfl. The oppoand height of the crate; `The top and botsitesides ofthe lcrate, consistof plain sheets of'metal 4 4 that'extend the full length tom, as well as 'the endl margins vofthe'sidelk members le-4f', are lsimilarly' Iformedv With hingedoops ta-lb that receive' horizontal plntles 5-5, and vertical pintles 6-"6". 7

and 8 representsimilar A`bottomvmeniber's,

which are formedV respectively with hingeloops 7 and 8 that receive the horizontal pintles 5by which fthe said, members are f adapted to swing to the' extent sliow'nby dotted Aarcs 'f-8, iiVFilg. 5. 'Vhen eX- tended the' free end portions ofthe members T and 8 rest upon'the lower horizontal portion ofthe frame 2 and alsofoverlap each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5,' the said membersl preferably Ybeing slotted ltransversely, as atv-7b and 8b, for straddling the'post' 3 (see Fig. 11'). 9v and '9'r representY swingbers L -#lf b v pintl'es 9, the latter beingI supported by similarv 'vertical platesl 9b, thatare secnredV "tothe sides 4 #4 by rivets9c.

The p'artitionsS-,Q when extended, (see Figs. l,'2, 3 and 5) preferably'engagethe opposite sides offthejpost, to whichthey may be fastened by any suitablev 1neans, as

by spring-latches 9d (see Figs'. '3 'andlO),

The partitions 949 'whenv extended, tend to tion of frame 2. To collapse the crate,'the partition 9 9 must be swung away from the post 3 towards the 'corresponding side members 4--4,y as shown by the dotted arcs in Fig. 3. The bottom sections 7 and 8 may then be swung upwardly and laterally against the opposite side members, as indicated by the dotted arcs in Fig. 5.

The opposite ends of the crate are preferably constructed exactly alike, and are designated generally by the numeral 10. Each end comprises similar sheetsmetal-members 10, which overlap and .slidably interlock with similar members 10a, by means of which the several pairs of said members are ren-V areV dered extensible. The members 10 formed atY their vcorresponding ends with hinge-loops 10P, that respectively receive and pivot upon the pintles 6 6', while the members 1()a of both pairs are hinged to an oblong vertically disposed wire part comprising parallel pintles 12, as best seen in Figs.

5, 6 and 7. The end'members 10--1O21 are interlocked to each other by means of int tegral guidelugslOc--lOd which loosely engage or grip the top and bottom edges of said members, as shown 1n Figs. 1, 3, 4 and `5. The connected vpintles 12 are pivotally .10, are normally held extended, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, by the bottom members 7 and 8 when the latter are extended, as

-shown in Fig. 3, and when th-e partitions 9-9 andthe bottom members are collapsed, the ends 10 maybe folded inwardly by simultaneously sliding the sleeves 13-13 Y towards the post 3, as shownin Fig. 4. This should be closed first. In the preferred con-k struction, the free longitudinal edge of memvber 14 rests upon the nearest wire, as 2, of

edge of the member 14, as shown in Fig. 5. VThe cover members are preferably held in the overlapped position by the post 3, the

Vmember 14 being providedV with a slot or opening 14b that receives the projecting npper end of the post, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The top end of post 3 is prefer-ably perforated, and the cover members may be held from accidental release, by the insertion of a Cotter-pin or other fastening device 15,

through the opening of the post, asv shown in Figs. 2 and 8.-

Cover members 14 and l14 are provided respectively with extensible leaves or plates 14e-14d which are preferably slidably disposed beneath the said members, and are held in place and rendered extensible by means of rivets 16, which play in slots 14e of the said leaves, as best seen in Figs. 1, 8 and 9. Figs. S and 9 show the crate 'extend ed laterally for increasing its capacity, .vhen such arrangement of the crate is desirable. rIhe leaf 14C is preferably provided with a slot or opening 142, for interlocking said part with the post 3, the same as tie member 14. The bottom members 7 and 8, as well as the partitions 9 and 9', are preferably made broad enough to permit the extension of the crate, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, without altering the said parts.

In order to hold the crate in the normal condition, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, as

well as in the extended position, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, for preventing accidental expansion and contraction of the body laterally, I provide a latch which comprises an i shaped part 17, having a horizontal arm 17 which is rigidly secured to the under side of the extensible leaf 14C, by rivets 17a, and having a dependingarm 17h, which engages coinciding notches 91 formed in the top edges of the partitions'Q-Q, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The notches S90-9d are only engaged by the latch when the crate is contracted, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, and eifectually prevents the extension `of the Vcrate laterally vuntil the cover member 14 is lifted for freeing the latch. lNhen, however, the crate is extended laterally, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the partitions 9 9 are moved past each other to the extent shown in Fig. 8. This shifts the notch 9c out of register wit-hrthe notch 9d and into register with anothernotch 9e formed near the free end of partition 9, soV that when the leaf 14C is extended beyond the Acover 14, the

latch 17 approaches close to the post 3 and vdrops into the notchesr 9 and 9e (see Figs.

8 and 9) and prevents the contraction of ther crate until the cover member 14 is lifted away from the frame 2.

The gaps or openings that occur between the cover and bottom members and the ends 10, in both the plan and end elevations throughout the drawings are exaggerated for clearness. rlhese openings in practice, are relatively narrow for preventing the escape of the contents of the crate.

My collapsible and extensible crate is extremely simple, and when constructed from sheet material of suitable gauge is light ion' ' and yyet durable.

The collapsing and kextending of the parts ofthe normal crates, shown in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, may be effected in` less than a minute even by unskilled persons. When the crate is fully collapsed, it may be stored inl arelatively small space.

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim, is- Y l. A Crate comprising a rectangular body, the side and end members thereof Vbeing hinged at the fo-ury corners, bottom members hinged to the lower edges of the side members and overlapping near the middle of the body, partition members hinged to the side members intermediate their Iends adapted to be extended across the middle of the body and to overlap each other, an open oblong floating frame extending lengthwise and centrally across the body, the bottom portion of the frame being disposed below the bottom members, pintles Isupported by the ends of the frameand pivotally supporting th-e facing ends of the end members, and

' cover members hinged to the top margins of the side lmembers and overlaying and supported by the top portion of the frame.

2. A crate comprising a rectangular body, the side and end members thereof being hinged at the four corners, bottom members hinged to the lower edges of the side members and overlapping near the middle of the body, partition members hinged to the side members intermediate their ends adapted to be extended across the middle of the body ried by one of said cover membeis and en.

gaging said partition members for preventing accidental expansion and contraction of said body.

3. A crate comprising a rectangular body, the side and end members thereof being hinged at the four corners, said end inembers being arranged Yin pairs,the side members having hinge-.loops attheirtop and bo-ttom edges, bottom members hinged to the lower edges of lthe side vmembers and overlapping near the middle of the body, partition members'hinged to the side members adapted to be swung across the middle of the body andto be overlapped, an open frame extending lengthwise around the body, the bottom portion of the frame beingV disposed below the bottom members, twin pintles movably supported by the ends ofthe frame and pivotally supporting the facing ends of theV portion of the frame.

end members, and covermembers'hin'gedr to the top marginsofthe Side members: and

overlayin'g the top portion of the frame.

l. A crate comprising a rectangular body,

edges of the sidemembers and overlapping near the middle of the body,y partition members hinged to the side members adapted to be swung across the middle of the body and vto be overlapped, an openy frame extending lengthwise around the body, the bottom pori tion ofv the frame being disposeclbelow-the bottom, members, twii'rpintles movably supported by the ends of the frame, and pivotally. supporting-the facing ends .of the end members, covermembers hinged to thetopl,

margins of the side. members and overlaying t-he .top portion ofthe frame, means` for expanding said body laterally, and means/carried by one cover member and engagingzsaid partition members for. preventing accidental.

expansion, contraction or .collapsing of lsaid body. v y

5. In, a collapsible crate, side and end members hinged .together at. thefour corners of the crate, a bottom and a top member hinged to each ,side` member an open `oblong wire frame disposed in the line of the longitudinal center of the cratethe end members being disposed within the Vopening ofthe frame, the bottoinmembers vadapted -toube overlapped upon .the bottom` portion of; the frame, partitionmembers hinged medially to the opposite .side members and SWingable in a horizontal plane above the bottoml members 'adaptedl when extended to prevent/,the upward swinging of `the'f bottom members` and said bottom VAniemberswhen extended adapted. to. hold the end members parallel to each other, means slida-ble on said; framefor supporting the facingy endsoi' the. end members, and means for interlocking one of the top `members when extendedwith the top 6.`In a collapsible'crate, a framec-o-mprising similar endless.wires,.clamps for rigidly holding saidV wires parallel vtoeach other,a post disposed verticallyv in ,saidframe and `rigidly Supported by SlCl Cllmpga an Oblong hollow body comprising sides-members dis-v posed parallely to said frame, end members arranged in pairs. hing-ed tov the sideunembers and pivotally. supported :between 'thetop and bottom portions of said frame, bottom members hinged to the lower margins the side membersL adapted Vwhen extended horizontally to beioverlap-ped upon the bottom portion of the frame, swingable partie tion members hinged to the medial portions of said side members adapted when extended to parallel the end members andfto hold the bottom members against the frame, means slidable ony the horizontal portions Vof the frame for swinging the end members towards each other for collapsing the crate, cover members hinged to the opposit-e side members adapted to be overlapped across the top portion of said frame, and means for interlocking the cover members with said post.

7. A collapsible crate comprising an oblong hollow body having parallelsidemembers, eXtensible end members arranged in pairs for connecting the ends of the side members, the side and end members being formed with complementary hinge loops, an open wirer frame encircling the body in the line of its longitudinal center, sleeves mounted near the ends of said frame and slidable on the horizontal portions thereof, twin pintles supported by said sleeve to which the facing ends of the end members are pivoted, similar bottom members hinged to the bottom margins of the side members and overlapping each other upon the bottom portion ot' the trame, similar partition members hinged to the inner walls of the side members adapted when extended transversely to prevent the raising-of the bottom members, the said bottom members adapted when eX- tended horizontally to prevent the inward 'collapsing of the end members, similar covei' members hinged to the top margins oi the respective side members adapted when eX- tended horizontally to overlap upon the top portion of the Vframe and means carried by one cover member and engaging said partition members for preventing accidental eX pansion and contraction of the body laterally. Y

8. In a collapsible crate, a body comprising side and end members hinged together at the :tour corners of the body, bottom members of less breadth than the body hinged to the bottom margins of the side members, an,

oblong open frame comprising two continuous parallel wires encircling the body longi- .tudinally, clamps rigidly applied to the top and bottom, medial portions ot said trame, said end and said bottom members being disposed within the opening of said frame, sleeves Vslidably mounted neai' the ends of the top and bottom portions ont' said frame and pivotally supporting the facing ends of the end members, partition members hinged to the opposite side'members adapted to be eX- l tended parallel to the end members for dividing said body in two compartments, cover members hinged to the opposite side members, their free lateral margins overlapping Y on the top portion of the frame, means for interlocking one' cover member with the par-` Y tition members, and means for interlocking cover members to the frame.

9. ln a collapsible crate, an oblong hollow body comprising side members having hingeloops at their top, bottom and end margins, bottom members hinged respectively to the bottom margins oi' said side members, a :trame comprising similar strands of wire disposed parallel to each other' i extending longitudinally across said body, said wires being tied together niedially by clamps, guide clips slidably mounted near the ends of the horizontal portions of said frame, twin pintles pivotally supported by said guide clips, end members arranged in pairs hinged respectively to said pintles and to the end margins ot the corresponding side members, said ends adapted to be collapsed by the inward sliding of said guide clips'toward said clamps, a post extending vertically ythrough said iframe and being held rigidly by said clamps, cover members hingedl to thetop edges of said side members, their free ends overlapping each other directly over the top portion or said frame and one of said .menibers adapted to interlock with said post, and means for extending said cover members and said end members laterally for increasing the capacity of the crate.

l0. A crate comprising a rectangular hol-k low body, the side and end members being hinged at the four corners whereby the end members may yield inwardly substantially on the medial longitudinal line or' the body for collapsing the crate, bottom members hinged to the lower edgesV of the side members and overlapping each other near said medial line radapted to be extended laterally for increas- ,each partition member extending past said medial line and being overlapped, cover members hinged to the topmargins of said side members adapted to be swung toward said medial line and tobe overlapped upon and supported by the top frame portion, and means for interlocking said cover members with said partition members.

ln testimony whereor1 l aliX my signature.

Jo'snrn w. orinar.` 

